Workflow Using CM

[mikemeister_admin]

My normal workflows for preparing images for printing is first scan my film for the largest size that I my ever print the image. I then make all my adjustments on this master scan (for 4x5 film ~400mb file) then change the image for the various size prints I make. Except for spotting, I make all my changes using adjustment layers for a non-destructive workflow, as I will often need changes after the first time I print (and sometimes after several prints). My question is can CM be used as an adjustment layer or can it be edited later?

Gale

[mikemeister_admin]

Hi Gale,
I too like to have non-destructive adjustments in post-processing.  So I always fire up CM on it's own layer.  Having applied a CM curve change, it automatically saves the Curve settings I applied.

So if I want to go back and twiddle it, I just fire CM up again (on another new layer, just above the original layer - which is turned off!) and reload the saved Curve from History - and off I go.

Not as quick and neat as adjustment layers - but then with the power of CM, it is rare that one goes back and plays.  My normal practise is to over-do an adjustment and then change the opacity of a layer to suit - but not when I'm doing things like setting shadow/hilight points etc!  So it all works out very well.

If you've CS3 - there are smart objects which work with CM, but I've no idea what they are!

[ggroess]

With CS3 you can create a smart layer for CM and when you go back to the layer you re-open CM with your curves intact. We cover this in week 5 or 6....

CM saves history.
Every curve you apply to an image is written to the history folder for the month and year you are working. 
You can always re-load any applied curve.  there are many non-destructive workflows possible using CM...

Not to worry...

Greg